System for adapting a sports implement

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a sports implement for hitting a pitched object. The sports implement includes attachments for a contact end of the implement allowing variation of the weight and/or length of the sports implement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to adjusting the weight of asports implement, and more particularly to adjusting the weight of thebarrel end of a baseball bat to allow the weight to be tailored to anindividual batter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The size, weight, and shape of a baseball bat effects thekinematics of the swing of the baseball bat by a batter. The weight ofthe barrel end affects the ability of the batter to swing the batrapidly enough to meet a pitched ball. A heavier barrel end requiresgreater strength to achieve the same barrel speed as a lighter barrelend. A heavier barrel end, however, carries greater momentum when apitched baseball is struck. In addition to the weight of the barrel endof the bat, the length of the bat also affects the ability of a batterto both control the swing, as well as generate an effective barrelvelocity at impact with a pitched ball.

[0003] Typical baseball bats are formed from a substantially homogenousmaterial, such as wood or aluminum. Some bats are formed from multiplematerials, such as using a fiberglass handle with an aluminum head.Notwithstanding, these bats are formed with a fixed weight of the barrelend, fixed length, and fixed grip size.

[0004] In addition to affecting the swing of the bat at a pitched ball,it is typical for a batter to desire a heavier barrel end of the bat forpractice swings, to both build up and stretch the muscles used forswinging the bat. To this end, doughnuts may be provided. Doughnuts aretoroidal shaped weights that may be placed around the barrel end of thebat to add weight to the barrel. The use of a doughnut precludes theability of the batter to actually hit a ball when the doughnut is on thebat, since the doughnut does not provide a uniform hitting surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a sports implement for hitting a pitchedball or the like. The contact end of the sports implement is adapted toallow the selective engagement of varying weights or contact extensions,hereinafter further referred to collectively as attachments, to thesports implement, allowing weight and/or length parameters of the sportsimplement to be varied as desired for individual users of the sportsimplement, or as desired at various times by an individual user.

[0006] The barrel end of the sports implement may be provided with asystem for allowing weights in the barrel end of a baseball bat to beeasily substituted to allow varying the barrel weight of a bat, withoutvarying the hitting surface of the bat. Such a system may includeweights having a smaller diameter than the contact surface of the sportsimplement, such that the weights nested within the end of the sportsimplement.

[0007] The attachment could also have an outer size and shape consistentwith the sports implement, allowing the attachment to form a portion ofthe contact surface of the sports implement.

[0008] The attachment may be engaged to the sports implement by anymethod however the use of a threaded joint as a bayonet joint allowsrapid engagement and removal of an attachment from the sports implement.

[0009] Biasing means may be provided to ensure that an attachmentengaged to a sports implement remains engaged until such time as a userdecides to remove the attachment. The biasing means may include anelastic element urging portion of the attachment and the sportsimplement into contact, or creating a friction or other retaining forceto maintain engagement of the attachment to the sports implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a sports implement having a female socketreceptacle for engaging a weight to the end of a sports implement.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a weight for a sports implement where theweight nests in the end of the sports implement without forming aportion of the contact surface of the sports implement.

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a sports implement having a female socketformed within a weight for engaging a post on the end of a sportsimplement.

[0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a sports implement having a male post withretention pins nested within an end of a sports implement.

[0014]FIG. 5 illustrates a sports implement having a threaded socket onthe end of the sports implement for receiving a male threaded postformed on a weight.

[0015]FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a pair of friction rings on thejoint surfaces between an attachment and a sports implement, with thesports implement shown in cross section and the attachment shown inprofile.

[0016]FIG. 7 illustrates the use of serrated surface features on theengagement faces between a weight and a sports implement.

[0017]FIG. 8 illustrates an intermediate engagement device formed toallow the engagement features to be added to an attachment or sportsimplement rather than formed integrally with the attachment or sportsimplement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In FIG. 1, wherein like numbers represent like elements, there isshown a sports implement 2 in the form of a baseball bat 4. The sportsimplement may have a grip end 6 and a contact end 8. A weight 10 orother attachment may be provided with a method for engaging the weightto the contact end of the sports implement. In the configuration shownin FIG. 1, the method for engaging comprises a receptacle 12 formed inthe tip end 14 of the sports implement. The receptacle may be a bore 16drilled into the end of the sports implement, allowing a cylindricalportion 18 of the weight 10 to be engaged within the bore 16. Aretention pin 20 or pins may be provided on the sidewall 22 of thecylindrical portion 18. A retention channel 24 may be provided on asidewall 26 of the bore 16. The retention channel 24 may have a firstleg 28 and a second leg 30, and a portion 32 connecting the first leg 28and the second leg 30. The first leg may extend to an opening 34 in theend of the bore 16, allowing a retention pin 20 to slide into theretention channel 24 when the cylindrical portion of the of the weightis engaged into the bore. An elastic element 38 such as a spring may beprovided at the bottom of the bore to resist engagement of thecylindrical portion of the weight into the bore. The second leg 30 ofthe retention channel may be parallel to the first leg 28, withoutextending to the opening 34, such that the cylindrical portion of theweight and the retention pin may be forced into the bore, and thentwisted to move the retention pin 20 into the second leg 30.Alternatively, the second leg 30 may be orthogonal to the long axis ofthe sports implement, such that when the retention pins are in thesecond leg, such that the engagement faces (26, 28) remain in tightcontact. The elastic element may then force the retention pin againstthe end of the second leg. As shown in FIG. 2, the weight may be formedsuch that it does not form a contact surface on the sports implement.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the bore 32 may be formed into theattachment, shown as a barrel extension 34, with a cylindrical postsection 36 extending from the sports implement 2. An elastic element 38may be provided around the periphery of the engagement end of the sportsimplement to both provide a biasing function for engagement of theretention pin 40 into the retention channel 42, as well as to provide asmooth exterior contact surface 44.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment may be selected so as to havean outer diameter greater than the diameter of a pocket 402 on the endof the sports implement 2. A post having retention pins 406 may belocated in the pocket 402, such that engagement of an attachment withinthe pocket 402 allows the attachment to nest within the end of thesports implement 2. Alternately, the post 404 may be formed with malethreads (not shown) on the exterior of the post, allowing an attachmenthaving female threads to be threadedly engaged to the post 404. Aretention feature, such as a friction ring elastic element, or otherdevice as described in this specification may be provided to ensureretention of the attachment onto the end of the sports implement.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment 500 may be joined to thesports implement using a threaded connection 502. The attachment 500 mayform a portion of the contact surface 504 of the sports implement 2,such that varying the length of the attachment 500 allows variation ofthe length of the sports implement 2, as well as variation of the areaof the contact surface 504 of the sports implement. A bore 506 may bedrilled and tapped with female threads 508 in the end of the sportsimplement 2. A retention ring 510, such as a rubber gasket, may beprovided adjacent to the periphery of a contact face to providesufficient friction between the attachment 500 and the sports implement2 to prevent the attachment 500 from rotating and loosening the threadedconnection in an undesired fashion. The attachment 500 may be providedwith surface features 512 such as grooves or knurling (not shown) toallow a stronger grip on the attachment when attaching or detaching theattachment 500 from the sports implement 2.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6, when a bayonet fitting (retention pin andretention channel) is used for the connection between the attachment 600and the sports implement 2, care must be shown with regard to the designof the retention channel 602. The retention pins 604 will exert a forceagainst the retention channel 602 in an amount related to the mass ofthe weight and the speed and acceleration of the attachment 600. Thus,the retention pins 604 must be of sufficient size and strength toprevent failure of the pins 604, which could result in an undesiredseparation of the attachment 600 from the sports implement 2.

[0023] Furthermore, the design of the retention channel 602 must addressthe force generated by the acceleration of the weight on the end of thebat, which may tend to force the attachment 600 away from the sportsimplement 2, creating a gap between the attachment 600 and the sportsimplement 2 where the attachment 600 is used to form a portion of thecontact surface 606 of the sports implement 2. The use of an L-shapedretention channel 608 allows the attachment to be snugly mounted againstthe sports implement 2, but may not provide a positive detent to ensureretention of the attachment 600 to the sports implement 2. A frictionring 610, such as a thin rubber washer or a pair of rubber washers maybe added to the end surfaces 612, 614 of the attachment 600 and/orsports implement 2 to improve the retention of the attachment 600 to thesports implement 2. Alternately, serrated surface features 700, such asshown in FIG. 7, may be implemented to provide a positive detent wherethe retention channel 702 is not shaped to provide such a detent. Aserrated surface feature 704, 706 formed from an elastic material, suchas a spring steel, rubber, or other elastomer, may be provided oncontact faces on the attachment 700 and sports implement 2. Engagementof the serrated surface features may require the two serrated surfacesto deform to allow rotation of the retention pins into the lateral legsof the retention channel, such that the contact between the serratedsurfaces provides an anti-rotation force when the attached 700 isengaged to sports implement 2. Proper design of the serrated surfacefeatures allows a tight joint to be accomplished, allowing the weight toform a portion of the contact surface without an undesirable gap beingpresent between the attachment and the sports implement 2. Theserrations may be saw tooth or wave shaped.

[0024] Although the engagement means has heretofore been illustrated asintegral to the sports implement or to the attachment, the engagementmeans may be also formed through fabrication of an intermediaryengagement device formed to be joined to the sports implement or to anattachment. As shown in FIG. 8, a male engagement device 802 may beprovided with male threads 804 at one end and retention pins 806 at anopposite end. An attachment 800 may thus be formed with a bore 808 whichis internally threaded 810 to receive the male engagement device 802.This allows simpler forming tasks to be required to adapt the end of thesports implement 2 for engagement to an attachment 800. Also, a femaleengagement device 810 may be formed having external threads 812, and acentral bore 814 having a retention through 816 and biasing element 818,such as a spring. A sports implement 2 may thus be adapted for receivingthe female engagement device 810 by drilling and threading 820 a bore inthe engagement face 822 of the sports implement. The use of intermediateengagement devices 802, 810 may allow the implementation of attachmentsaccording to the present invention to sports implements which werepreviously manufactured, by allowing basic machining (drilling andthreading) to be used to adapt the sports implement and/or attachmentfor implementation of attachments according to the present invention.

[0025] As is apparent from the above description, the benefits of thepresent invention are not limited to baseball bats, but extend to othersports implements used to impact thrown or flying objects, such as, butnot limited to, softball bats or cricket bats.

[0026] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formsthan the embodiments described above without departing from the spiritor essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference shouldbe made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification,as indicating the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports implement for hitting a pitched ball,said sports implement having a grip end and a contacting end and an axisextending between said grip end and said contacting end, said contactingend having a tip end located distally from said grip end, said sportsimplement further comprising: an engagement feature located on saidcontacting end, and at least one attachment, said at least oneattachment adapted to engage said engagement feature to selectivelyretain the weight to the sports implement.
 2. A sports implementaccording to claim 1, wherein said engagement feature comprises asubstantially cylindrical bore in said contacting end of said sportsimplement, said bore having an opening at said tip end and a sidewallextending for a depth into said sports implement, said bore having atleast one retention channel formed in said sidewall, and wherein said atleast one attachment comprises a substantially cylindrical body and atleast one retention pin extending from said body, said cylindrical bodyhaving an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore.3. A sports implement according to claim 2, wherein said retentionchannel has an engaged end, said sports implement further comprising anelastic element, said elastic element biasing said retention pin to saidengaged end of said retention channel when said attachment is engaged tosaid engagement feature.
 4. A sports implement according to claim 3,wherein said at least one attachment comprises a plurality of weights,said weights each being individually engageable with said engagementfeature, said weights having varying masses.
 5. A sports implementaccording to claim 1, wherein said engagement feature further comprisesfirst engagement face, said attachment comprises a second attachmentface, said first engagement face contacting said second engagement facewhen said attachment is engaged to said sports implement, said first andsecond engagement faces having serrated surfaces.
 6. A sports implementaccording to claim 2, wherein said engagement feature comprises a borein said contacting end of said sports implement, said bore having anopening at said tip end and a sidewall extending for a depth into saidsports implement, said bore having a female thread formed along at leasta portion of said sidewall, and wherein said at least one weightcomprises a substantially cylindrical body, said cylindrical body havinga male thread formed on at least a portion of said cylindrical body,said male thread engageable with said female thread.
 7. A sportsimplement according to claim 2, wherein said engagement featurecomprises a post extending from said tip end of said sports implement,said post having a substantially cylindrical shape, said post having atleast one retention pin extending from a sidewall of said post, andwherein said weight comprises a bore, said bore having an opening, adiameter, and a long axis and a sidewall extending for a depth alongsaid long axis into said weight, said bore having at least one retentiontrough formed in said sidewall, wherein said post has an outer diameterslightly smaller than the diameter of the bore.
 8. A sports implementfor hitting a pitched object, said sports implement having a gripadjacent a first end, a barrel, and a barrel end located opposite saidfirst end; said sports implement further comprising: a weight attachingmeans located adjacent said barrel end, said weight attaching means forselectively attaching a weight; and at least one weight means, saidweight means for adjusting the weight of the barrel of said sportsimplement, said weight means further being engageable in said weightattaching means.
 9. A sports implement for hitting a pitched objectaccording to claim 8, wherein said weight attaching means furthercomprises an engagement biasing means.
 10. A sports implement accordingto claim 9, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring located toexert force against said weight means when said weight means is engagedin said weight attaching means.
 11. A sports implement according toclaim 8, wherein said weight means further comprises an engagementbiasing means.
 12. A sports implement according to claim 11, whereinsaid engagement biasing means comprises a spring located to exert forceagainst said sports implement when said weight means is engaged in saidweight attaching means.
 13. A sports implement for hitting a pitchedobject, said sports implement having a first end and a second end and acenter axis extending from said first end to said second end, anattachment engagement for receiving an attachment located adjacent saidfirst end, and at least one attachment, said at least one attachmentadapted to engage said attachment engagement.
 14. A sports implementaccording to claim 13, wherein said receptacle comprises a socket, saidsocket having a floor, a depth, an opening adjacent said first end, andat least one retention pin channel, said retention pin channel having atleast a first leg and a second leg, said first leg extending from saidopening adjacent said first end and extending for at least a portion ofsaid depth, said second leg joining said first leg and forming an anglewith said first leg, said second leg not extending to said opening, andwherein said at least one weight further comprises at least oneretention pin, said retention pin having a length adapted to engage saidretention pin trough.
 15. A sports implement according to claim 14,wherein said attachment further comprises an elastic element, saidelastic element contacting said floor when said attachment is engaged insaid attachment engagement.
 16. A sports implement according to claim15, wherein said elastic element is a spring.
 17. A sports implementaccording to claim 14, wherein said attachment engagement furthercomprises an elastic element attached to said floor, said elasticelement engaging said at least one attachment when said at least oneattachment is engaged in said attachment engagement.
 18. A sportsimplement according to claim 17, wherein said elastic element comprisesa spring.
 19. A sports implement according to claim 13, wherein saidattachment engagement comprises at least one female thread, and said atleast one attachment comprises at least one male thread, said at leastone attachment being threadably engageable into said attachmentengagement.
 20. A sports implement according to claim 19, wherein saidattachment engagement further comprises an elastic element, said elasticelement engaging said at least one attachment when said at least oneattachment is threadedly engaged in said attachment engagement.
 21. Asports implement according to claim 19, wherein said at least oneattachment further comprises an elastic element, said elastic elementengaging said floor when said at least one attachment is threadedlyengaged in said attachment engagement.